The sun., 1887-03-27
A VISIT TO LINCOLN IN 1860.

A VISIT TO LINCOLN IN 1860.
FEE GREAT WAR pRESIDENr At THE
TIME OF HIS FIRST ELECTION
HE Conception Of Horace Greeicy's I.abors-
Two OF his Amusing Parnbies-The Re.
turns-A Conpie Of shooting stars.
The national campaign OF 1860 was re-
markable. among many other things. for the
circumstance that four Presidential candidates
were in the aeld-cach representing devoted,
II not an equally powerful. following. As the
time for the election approached, II was no.
uced that three Of these candidates happened
to be residing In places widely distant from
each other. Lincoln was ut his home. In
Springfield. ILL.,; Bell and Breckinridge were
likewise on their own ground, the one in Ten
nessee. the other in Kentucky; and Douglas
was sojourning in Alabama, at some sanitary
resort, II remember correctly. Being habitu-
ally on the watch In those days-as every jour
nalist is bound to be watchful on behalf Of the
newspaper he belongs to-for opportunities OF
enterprise and ingenuity It occurred to me
that point might be made by despatching
special correspondent to zach Of the party
centres. for the purpose Of gathering all
attractive intelligence In the immediate
neighborhood Of the candidates. and par
ticularly to report proceedings on the day
Of election. including the individual ac-
tions OF tho four leaders, 30 far as they
properly could be followed. the whole to be
telegraphed to New York and published on
the morning after the event, Having arranged
the details OF my scheme, I laid 1t before Mr..
Dana, then the managing editor Of the Tribune.
and was rewarded by finding myself appointed
. nv days later to visit Illinois and take
charge Of that branch Of the project which
most closely concerned the Republican party.
How the other branches were disposed Of I
was not permitted to know. It was not the
habit Of our chief to extend much confidence
to his subordinstes. and 1t was sufiicient salts
faction for younEster in the office, as then
was. to learn that suggestion had been ap-
proved and acted upon, without inquiring too
curiously into the manner OF its execution.
had obviously the post Of honor in the little
combination. and in due time started quietly
on my errand.
The remembrance Of a few words spoken by
Mr.. Dana, just before left, brings to mind
prevalent impression rs to an expected recog-
milton Of Mr.. Greeley's agency in clearing the
way for Lincoln's nomination ut Chicago. As
. rule. correspondents Of the Tribune had no
minute instructions from its managing editor.
He knew his men pretty thoroughly. and per-
haps foresaw the course they would be likely
w puAouo Au ohy outS ooSikucu VI peT.
haps he held that to let correspondent feel
himself trusted beyond the need OF direct ad-
monition was tho surest way OF getting the
best work from him. Having usually been left
to my own devices. 1t was slight surprise to
me to hear that on this expedition was to
observe one caution, although. rs 1t appeared,
the Injunction was outside the line OF my en-
ployment If Mr. Lincoln, or anybody speak
ing for him-in fact, anybody, no matter who
talks about Mr.. Greeley in connection with the
Postmaster Generalship don't give any an
swer. No one must be able to repeat word
from you on that subject II Mr.. Lincoln him.
self should wish to send a message. don't ac-
cept it. You may take letter. anything in
writing-thoueh 1t is not likely you will be
asked to-but you will refuse verbal messages
from everybody. In reference to any such mat
teE' Al Apd fban sheS- g.
That's all. Good-by"
the election, on the evening Of a dull rainy day.
Gn TIE % %m9rnins after @ my arrival called upon
eeived Visitors in the Governors " room, ~ ten n
rs sor hs ;b db%rng the When
s1rroundei By an abattis Of dishevelied news. t
papers and in comfortable occupancy of two
3ns the4s hs sSe
stsitSdss bis knees dTsEn up to hsS lsySi Nth With
sn IN sn him rs ss cSs
nss BY b1fss 81 dttss
light. apparently, that could hope for q re.
versa! OF the unfortunate impression which had
Received me With the e seniality % natural to him.
Psisy ss to VI, What j, had lad come 70 Springfield ior;
himself and such incidents Of the election as
should connect themselves particularly with
e to
energies might better he devoted to swelling
But il Greeley sent you rs all right" he
16st Ne best
ply had no more notion of my excursion than he
Of fact. since the latter knew where was at
did not. .Whereupon, he lifted one eyebrow
q trifie incredulously. It seemed to me-and
Afae It Tss fFs Just little
oqerulously:" every one counts"
dilate upon the confident assurance Of the men
better use than the mere casting Of a single
iifiicuIt to touch him With that Kind f Of argu y
sntg Yerf st ths
Gould hardly be said to have az a legal resi- resideneee e
Chance Of registering or r. otherwise 'E qualifying
themselves to exercise tho suffrage. SO that,
e. F to Wa the result
@ight as well BE- in sprRHEasd pr or in Kam-
SO. Greeley doesn't know you are here" no
remarked, with q keen glance.
nected with the Tribune for, ! won't say how
long, and ! never exchanged six words with
MIR. Greeley in all the time"
That's a curious thing" he answered.; then
he didn't send you after all?"
Il don't suppose he thinks Of sending out
eorresp2ndcnt or cares who is sent out mt any
ms IN n / nnltlI uytly
explain how little no concerns himself with
"Oh, no; it's all right-all right, Of course"
The idea at once presented itself that he
might suspect in mo n special emissary to OBJ
tain from him some declaration or express
sion Of opinion regarding Mr. Greeley,s pros
which case the propriety Of Mr. Dana's caution.
99nmy on ny departure for Illinois. was Obvious; Bpt u,
shared II rather common view (outside of Now
York. and especially In the Vest of Mr.. Gree;
leys Eelations to the Tribune and imagined
everysdetaii Of its business to be pers4nally d.
Dr6SSlOn WIS subsequently, conftrmel by liS